Celebrate March!
Welcome March 2021! Aren’t we glad that we have reached this point in time! March is a beautiful month that always makes me think of green. I wear green as much as possible just in case those pesky leprechauns are around on more than just the 17th. We can also celebrate so much more this month.
NATIONAL ANTHEM DAY
Nearly 117 years passed after Key penned “Defence of Fort M’Henry” before it became the national anthem of the United States of America. “Hail Columbia” and “My Country’ Tis of Thee” held honorary places as patriotic songs. But, the United States didn’t have an officially declared anthem until a congressional resolution, signed by President Herbert Hoover, until “The Star Spangled Banner” became the national anthem of the United States of America on March 3rd, 1931. Learn all the verses to the Star Spangled Banner and learn more about why it was chosen for our National Anthem.
NATIONAL WRITE YOUR STORY DAY
Everyone has a story and on March 14th, National Write Your Story Day challenges you to tell your story in written form.
You may think to yourself, “There’s nothing in my life to tell.” It will surprise you once you put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard and the words start filling the pages. Words have a way of triggering memories. They form a moment in time, and before you know it, there’s a story flowing from your fingertips. Even if you never share your tale, it can be an essence of who you are and where you’ve been.
Trips down memory lane or recreating the moment when a spark of inspiration occurred, are more intriguing than you know. Today, they fill blogs, inspire novels and entire television series. More importantly, they are treasures to family and loved ones.
The observance encourages us to start telling our personal stories today. There’s a story worth recounting in there somewhere! So grab pen and paper or your favorite electronic device and begin typing away. We all have a story to tell.
WORLD KIDNEY DAY
In 2006, the International Federation of Kidney Foundations created World Kidney Day to raise awareness and increase educational opportunities regarding kidney diseases and prevention. World Kidney Day on the second Thursday in March sets out each year to create increased awareness about kidney care.
Our kidneys are vital to our everyday health, and many health issues contribute to Chronic Kidney Disease. Preventative measures help to reduce our risks and improve outcomes.
Several health conditions impact our kidneys. These are just a few:
- Diabetes is one of the leading causes of kidney failure.
- High blood pressure weakens blood vessels, including the ones in the kidneys.
- High Cholesterol impacts how well the kidneys work and can also lead to high blood pressure and diabetes.
- Anorexia Nervosa causes chronic kidney disease due to the lack of a healthy balance of water, electrolytes, and salt in the body.
- Lupus causes your immune system to attack parts of your body. It sometimes impacts the kidneys, too.
- Polycystic Kidney Disease causes cysts to grow inside the kidneys.
Early Chronic Kidney Disease usually has no symptoms, so early detection is essential. Educating medical professionals, identifying high-risk populations, and increasing donor programs are some of the key objectives of reducing Chronic Kidney Disease.
HOW TO OBSERVE World Kidney Day
We all need to take care of our own health, but it’s important to be supportive of others, too. Check out ways you can do both.
- If you’re on a medication regimen that requires testing of your kidney function on a regular schedule, be sure to follow your physician’s instructions.
- Learn about conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, that increase the risk for Chronic Kidney Disease.
- Find out if kidney diseases run in your family and update your medical records with your family physician.
- Volunteer to support those receiving dialysis.
- Attend a seminar or screening at a local clinic.
- Learn about donor programs and consider becoming a donor.
- Learn more by visiting www.worldkidneyday.org
NATIONAL CERTIFIED NURSES DAY
National Certified Nurses Day was established on March 19th in honor of Margretta (Gretta) Madden Styles (March 19, 1930 — November 20, 2005), MSN, Ph.D. Her pioneering and distinguished career inspired nurses around the country. She was recognized worldwide for her leadership and contributions to the study and practice of nursing.Every March 19th, National Certified Nurses Day celebrates the certified nurses who impact lives every day.
Certified nurses dedicate their entire careers to helping others and often work long, hard hours. The day honors and recognizes them and their significant achievements. Their advanced skills require continuing education, re-certification, and continued knowledge of ever-changing technology. Certified nurses balance clinical needs and patient care. Helping patients meet their healthcare goals in complex and challenging times makes a Certified Nurse’s commitment even more valuable.
A nursing career is as varied as a doctor’s. They specialize and can earn certifications in specialties and sub-specialties. Certified nurses study and take certification exams to demonstrate their competency, skill, and knowledge in a field. Board certification is available in a variety of fields including:
- Ambulatory Care Certification
- Clinical Nurse Specialist Certification
- Informatics Certification
- Medical-Surgical Certification
- Nurse Practitioner Specialty Certification
- Pediatric Nursing Certification
- Psychiatric Nursing Certification
Nurses can also obtain sub-specialty certifications. Certified nurses provide skilled experience in the medical fields where they work. They also improve the quality of the health care provided. Now, more than ever, health care needs more qualified nurses providing the care that we need.
HOW TO OBSERVE National Certified Nurses Day
Thank a certified nurse, and all they do. If you know someone who is striving to become a certified nurse, encourage them in their endeavors. Encourage certified nurses to attend job fairs to share their experiences and inspire others to become certified nurses. Consider taking a certification you’ve had your eye on. Learn more about the certification process. Speak to other certified nurses. Use #CertifiedNursesDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL REGISTERED DIETITIAN NUTRITIONIST DAY
Observed annually on the second Wednesday in March, National Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day celebrates the contributions of these medical professionals.
Across the country, dedicated Registered Dietitian Nutritionists provide the most advanced and current nutrition information available to their patients. They are experts in food and nutrition whose training qualifies them to support a variety of patient needs. Whether they work in a hospital, school, long-term care facility or sports facility, RDNs provide patient care that may include meal planning, nutritional counseling, assessments, track progress, and more. Outside their core patient care, RDNs also promote wellness in public forums as well.
As dedicated professionals, RDNs put patient care first and continue their education throughout their careers. Their commitment helps patients’ to meet their health goals or understand their disease better.
HOW TO OBSERVE Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day
Registered Dietitian Nutritionists do more than just provide diet guidelines. They help patients reach goals and regain their health after diagnosis. There are so many ways to celebrate them, too!
- Thank an RDN who helped you reach a health goal.
- Learn more about the role of an RDN.
- If you’re an RDN, volunteer to speak at a job fair and share your experiences.
- Give your RDN a shout out on social media!
- Follow your RDN’s guidelines for a healthier you.
AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION ALERT DAY
The American Diabetes Association created Alert Day as part of its awareness programs in 1986. It has been a part of their growing diabetes education and prevention efforts in the United States ever since. American Diabetes Association Alert Day is observed annually on the fourth Tuesday in March. This one-day “wake-up call” informs the American public about the seriousness of diabetes and encourages all to take the diabetes risk test and learn about your family’s history of diabetes.
Diabetes Facts:
- Diabetes impacts approximately 34.2 million Americans. That’s about 10.5 percent of the U.S. population.
- Of those living with diabetes, 7.3 million — 1 in 7 adults — don’t know they have it.
- The risk of developing diabetes increases with age. But there are other factors, too. Ethnic background may increase your risk.
- An additional 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes each year.
There are two types of diabetes. While Type 1 diabetes is not as preventable, it can be managed well with insulin injections. Managing Type 1 diabetes might also require frequent blood sugar monitoring, eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight. Education is key to learning how to manage symptoms of Type 1 diabetes. However, type 2 is much more preventable, and some actions can be taken.
Ways to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes:
- Eliminate sugar and refined carbs
- Work out regularly and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle
- Make water the primary beverage
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Quit smoking
- Eat a high fiber diet
- Optimize Vitamin D levels
- Take natural herbs, such as curcumin and berberine, that increase insulin sensitivity
Type 2 diabetes is not preventable for everyone. However, making healthy choices provides the best chance of not getting it. In the United States, 9 out of every 10 cases of diabetes can be avoided if the above lifestyle changes are implemented. Families, schools, workplaces, communities, and healthcare providers can all work together to make healthy choices easy ones.
The observance encourages you to discover if you or loved ones are at risk for type 2 diabetes. Consider taking this fast and easy Diabetes Risk Test.
HOW TO OBSERVE American Diabetes Association Alert Day
Learn your risk factors. Speak with your doctor and have your blood sugars tested. Families, we’ve included a downloadable nutrition color page you can print off to use at home when teaching your children about diabetes or nutrition in general.
St Patrick’s Day
Of course we can’t forget our favorite Green Holiday St Patrick’s Day! Celebrated on the 17th of March each year. It’s always fun to share stories of how those mischievous leprechauns are. But why is it named after a Saint? Want some yummy recipes to help celebrate?
The information for this article was taken, in part from:
